A recent report from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed that Canada exceeded its target for the number of permanent residents it planned to welcome in 2023. The data shows that 471,550 new permanent residents were welcomed in 2023, surpassing the target of 465,000 set in the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025.
The increase in the number of new permanent residents follows the consideration of candidates from Express Entry programs, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and their spouses, partners, and children. Additionally, IRCC finalized 1,646,300 work permit applications, an increase of 503,330 over 2022, and 1,089,600 study permits, a year-over-year difference of 171,700.
The data also shows that 293,000 newcomers became Canadian citizens between April 1 and December 31, 2023, an increase of 13,900 over the same period in 2022. With the current trend, IRCC is on track to meet its target of 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024 and plans to welcome 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025 and 2026.
However, as of December 31, 2023, there were 2,221,100 applications in inventory at IRCC, with 949,500 in the backlog. IRCC has a mandate to process 80% of immigration applications within service standards. Applications that are not processed within these standards are considered in backlog.
To reduce the backlog, IRCC has introduced measures such as prioritizing the processing of work permit applications for healthcare and agriculture workers, creating Canada’s tech talent strategy, and launching an online process for citizenship applications for those over 18 years old. The department also introduced an online portal for some permanent residence applications and online application status trackers.
With the efforts in place to reduce the backlog, it is evident that IRCC is committed to efficiently processing immigration applications and welcoming new residents to Canada. If you are considering Canadian immigration, it is essential to check your eligibility and stay informed about the latest updates on immigration policies. If you are interested in finding out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration, click here.
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